Annabel Schofield's Career and Passing
Annabel Schofield, a model, producer, and actress who gained prominence in the 1980s fashion scene before appearing in the American television drama Dallas, has died at the age of 62.
She passed away from cancer on 28 February in Los Angeles, where she had resided for many years.
Early Life and Health Battle
Born in 1963 in Llanelli, Wales, Schofield first underwent surgery for cancer in 2023. She resumed chemotherapy in November 2025 after discovering the illness had metastasized to her brain. In the months leading up to her death, she publicly discussed her diagnosis and sought financial support for her treatment.
Modelling Career
At the age of 16, Schofield left Wales to pursue modelling in London. She worked with renowned fashion houses such as Versace and Yves Saint Laurent.
She gained international recognition through a late-1980s Bugle Boy jeans advertisement, which featured her driving a black Ferrari through the desert and interacting with a man on the roadside.
Industry Recognition
Melissa Richardson, who owned the London modelling agency Take Two where Schofield was signed, recalled her impact on the agency and the fashion industry. Richardson told The Hollywood Reporter:
"She was the forerunner of Take Two - without her, we could never have made it as we did."
"We loved her because she was funny and real and beautiful and down to earth. She never changed from the sweet little 17-year-old Welsh girl I first met."
"She was directly loyal, caring, and above all, a raging beauty. She knew her craft. She was the best."
Schofield was a favourite of photographer David Bailey and appeared in numerous shoots for Italian Vogue.
Acting and Producing
At the peak of her modelling career, Schofield relocated to Los Angeles. She appeared in the 1982 low-budget film Bloodtide before being cast in the long-running American television series Dallas during its 11th season.
In Dallas, she portrayed Laurel Ellis, a friend of Clayton Farlow who is blackmailed by the show's central character JR Ewing into having sex with him to protect her friend.
Her other acting roles included a part in the 1990 science fiction thriller Solar Crisis, opposite Charlton Heston.
Later Career and Writing
Later in her career, Schofield transitioned behind the camera and founded Bella Bene Productions in Burbank, California, in 2010.
She also documented 1980s culture and fashion on a blog titled The Cherry Alignment and published a semi-autobiographical novel of the same name in 2013.
Final Months and Legacy
Schofield shared updates about her cancer diagnosis on Instagram and, due to her inability to work, sought assistance through a GoFundMe page that raised nearly $35,000 (£26,100) in donations.
After resuming chemotherapy in November 2025, she underwent surgery again in January 2026 but passed away the following month.
Family Background
She was the daughter of movie producer John D. Schofield, known for credits including As Good as It Gets and Jerry Maguire.
Bugle Boy Advertisement Description
Schofield's notable Bugle Boy jeans advertisement featured her driving a black Ferrari through the desert. She stopped beside a man standing at the roadside, rolled down the passenger-side window, and asked:
"Excuse me. Are those Bugle Boy jeans you're wearing?"
After he confirmed, she replied:
"Thank you,"
before speeding away, leaving the man standing in the dust.
